Swiss cheese, the beloved and most imitated cheese around the world is what we call Swiss cheese.  However, the name is Emmentaler and it is made in Switzerland. On this show we are going to Switzerland, where this most popular cheese originated and continues to be one of the top cheeses produced each year.

It’s our choice for sandwiches and fondue, for cheese and wine, for a snack or special occasion. Emmentaler or Swiss cheese as we call it has a very special place in the culinary world. Every year around 17,000 tons of Emmentaler AOP are distributed in Switzerland and around the world.

Emmentaler is made with the best, freshest raw milk from the region.The cheese is considered an original because it is still made in the traditional, artisanal manner according to the original recipe. And we know the Swiss quality of craftsmanship will be guaranteed in the processing of this delightful and delicious cheese.

This show’s Interesting Person In A Fascinating Destination is Roland Sahli.  His is our expert today on Emmentaler cheese.Roland is on the board of management with Gourimino where they make several types of cheeses, with Emmentaler AOP as one of the top produced each year.

Roland describes himself as the wikipedia of cheese because he grew up in a cheese dairy and has been involved in the cheese making for many years.Roland shares more about his family and how they are involved in the cheese industry.

 

• Around 43% of milk from Swiss farmers is made into cheese
• Approximately fresh raw milk from 41 cows goes into one wheel of cheese
• Around 33,000 cows supply the roughly 200 million liters of milk per year for Emmentaler
• Emmentaler is rich in vitamins A, D, B2 and B12
• It is naturally lactose-free
• Cheese is an excellent source of nutrients such as protein, calcium and vitamins.
• Emmentaler is low in salt
• No artificial additives
• Emmentaler AOP is suitable for anyone on a low-carb diet or food
• Cheese dairies may process fresh raw milk twice a day
• Milk comes from 2,200 farms
• Emmentaler is the king of cheeses with 90kg average weight, 80 to 100 cm diameter and 16 to 27 cm thickness

 

The cows are called Happy Cows – they eat only natural, unprocessed feed, high in nutrients and are fed fresh grass and hay.  They get plenty of exercise and lots of daylight with lots of space to roam.

 

Each wheel bears its own unique cheese dairy number and comes with guaranteed traceability back to the cheese dairy where it was produced

 

How did you get those beautiful holes – the holes of the Emmentaler AO)P are formed during the maturing period, in which each wheel of cheese continuously cared for and monitored – cheeses are tended to and checked every day, wherewheel is turned once a week.

 

Wheels of Emmentaler AOP are first put in a fermentation cellar and allowed to mature naturally in a storage cellar for at least 120 days

 

 

The fermentation cellars temperature of about 19-24 C triggers propionic acid fermentation which produces carbon dioxide gas that collects at various spots in the curds.The gas cannot espcape because it is trapped by the rind, which is already solid. This causes the cheese’s distinctive, world famous holes to form.

It also owes its characteristic mild and nutty flavor to the propionic acid fermentation and long maturing period.

 

Cheese receives TLC where each wheel is taken off its shelf and turned. Today some cheese makers still turn each wheel by hand but most use a turning machine to help them. Or have a fully automated system. There are regular checks to make sure maturing is taking place properly.

For more information on Gourmino visit their website – www.Gourmino.ch
To learn more about Emmentaler – www.gourmino.ch/en/save-the-emmentaler
Visit their Instagram – Gourminoltd and Facebook – Gourmino Swiss cheese

To Plan a trip to the beautiful country of Switzerland visit their website – www.myswitzerland.com
Follow and/or search the hashtags #IneedSwitzerland and #InLoveWithSwitzerland

Take along the perfect knife and fork for cheese – Victorinox – www.victorinox.com

Grab a glass of wine and a couple of slices of Emmentaler and listen to the show.